Seeing the arrogant Blackbeard trio before him, Ronan immediately sensed—
This was no simple "chance encounter" like the pie argument from the original story.
Not anymore.
In this real pirate world—
The Straw Hat crew's combined bounty had exploded past 500 million.
To someone like Teach—
That wasn't just notoriety.
It was bait.
Like a chunk of glowing meat in the dark—
Drawing out a lurking predator.
This time—
Blackbeard wasn't here just for Wapol.
He was here…
For Luffy.
"Luffy… they're not friendly."
Ronan tightened his grip on the Adam-wood spear.
The Seastone tip glowed faintly blue in the dim tavern.
"This fat bastard… isn't like the trash we've dealt with before."
"His power… is dangerous."
Luffy slowly raised his head
His eyes, hidden beneath the brim of his hat—
Were completely calm.
Too calm.
This was his serious face.
The face he wore when he was about to fight for real.
"Yeah… I know."
"…Then we fight."
Shing—!
Zoro fully drew Wado Ichimonji.
A savage grin spread across his face.
"I can feel it…"
"That kind of pressure that makes your scalp tingle…"
"Now this is worth drawing my sword for."
Sanji lit a cigarette.
Took a deep drag.
The wooden floor beneath him creaked—
Straining under the force gathering in his legs.
"Guess it's time…"
"To see just how strong I've become."
He glanced sideways.
"Nami-san, Robin-chan, Chopper…"
"Get back."
"This fight… isn't for you."
"B-But…"
Chopper's nose twitched nervously.
"Don't worry."
Luffy's voice rang like a bell.
"Nami… take them and go."
"This… is our fight."
Nami froze.
She looked at Luffy's towering back.
At Ronan's spear, radiating unstoppable force.
At Zoro, blades drawn.
At Sanji, calm and confident.
And in that moment—
Something inside her…
Cracked.
She realized something brutal.
As a navigator.
As a crewmate.
She should be standing with them.
But right now—
She didn't even qualify to stay.
"Let's go."
Robin grabbed her arm, calm and decisive, pulling her toward the back exit with Chopper.
As they passed through the dark doorway—
Nami suddenly turned back.
She saw Luffy's fist—
Covered in black Armament Haki.
Then she looked at her own hands.
Slender.
Trembling.
"…I can't keep running like this…"
Her teeth clenched.
So hard—
That blood seeped from her lip.
"If I keep hiding behind them every time…"
"What right do I have…"
"To draw the map of the entire world?!"
"I need power…"
"I want power too!"
"Even if I have to become some muscle freak…"
"I don't care!!!"
At that moment—
A seed was planted.
A seed of ambition.
Of strength.
"W-Wait… what about me?!"
Usopp looked left.
Then right.
On one side—Luffy.
On the other—Ronan.
"I… I don't have to fight, right?!"
"There are only three of them! You guys can't even split evenly!!"
"Don't be stupid, Usopp."
Ronan didn't even turn around.
His gaze locked onto Van Augur.
"You had those craftsmen in Alabasta build that 'super alloy slingshot' for decoration?"
"That sniper…"
"He's yours."
"WHAT—?!!!"
Usopp screamed in despair.
"Then what about you guys?!"
"Three of you against that big guy?!"
"Of course."
Ronan replied calmly.
"Except for that black fat one…"
"The other two aren't anything special."
"But to be safe…"
"We'll clean up the trash first."
"Luffy."
Ronan spoke without looking back.
"That fat one… you good?"
Luffy nodded.
"…Yeah. Leave him to me."
Usopp swallowed hard.
Then—
With trembling hands—
He pulled out his weapon.
A massive alloy slingshot—
Cold.
Heavy.
Deadly.
"D-Don't move!!"
"Your opponent… is me!!!"
His voice shook.
But his aim—
Was perfectly steady.
Locked onto Van Augur's forehead.
"Ah… a crossroads of fate."
Van Augur calmly pulled back the bolt of his rifle.
His covered eye radiated deathly stillness.
"You will fall here."
"That is your fate."
"Zehahahahaha!!"
Blackbeard burst into laughter.
"You dare call me 'fat'?!"
"You brats…"
"Still don't understand…"
"What kind of monster stands before you!"
"Bounty… is just a number the Marines put on corpses!!"
"Perfect!!"
"Burgess! Van Augur! Move!!"
"And bring me Wapol alive!!"
"Wihahahaha!!!"
Burgess roared.
"If we're 'trash'…"
"Then let us show you how trash breaks rookies like you!!!"
He charged.
Like a raging bull.
Destroying everything in his path.
"Wave Impact Elbow!!!"
"…Too exaggerated."
Ronan moved.
His spear—
Turned into lightning.
Unlike his old ebony staff—
This weapon…
Was perfect.
"Xingyi — Crushing Spear!!"
He didn't dodge.
He stepped forward—
And thrust.
BOOM—!!!
The collision—
Shattered the tavern.
The ceiling beams collapsed instantly.
Burgess—
The "Champion"—
Whose arms could shatter mountains—
The moment he collided with the spear—
It felt like—
He had slammed into a moving steel fortress.
The force—
Exploded through his body.
CRACK—!!
Half his bones—
Shuddered violently.
And for the first time—
That monstrous grin—
Flickered.
To Read60+ AHEAD advanced Chapters, head over to P@treon
patreon.com/DarkVerse146